Original paper
Is the depression level the factor influencing the effectiveness of the group weight reduction program?

Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of the depression level on the effects of the group weight reduction program.

Material and methods: The study group involved 57 overweight and obese subjects [age 45.9 ± 13.9 years, body mass index (BMI) 35.5 ± 5.4 kg/m²]. All patients participated in a 3-month group weight reduction program. Body mass and height were measured and BMI was calculated, the depression level was assessed using Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) at baseline and at the end.

Results: At baseline, the moderate depression level occurred in 8 women (BDI 23.1 ± 3.0 points), mild depression level in 22 subjects – 20 women and 2 men (BDI 13.4 ± 2.4 points) and 27 subjects – 22 women and 5 men did not have features of depression (BDI 5.5 ± 2.8 points). Subjects with severe and mild depression levels were significantly older than these without features of depression (p < 0.005). We did not observe differences of BMI between study subgroups. There were no correlations between body mass and BMI, and the depression levels. The body mass and depression levels decreased significantly in all study subgroups after the group weight reduction program with psychotherapy. We observed a significant decrease in both body mass and depression level in all study subgroups. The mean weight reduction was similar in all study subgroups.

Conclusion: The depression level at baseline did not influence the effectiveness of the group weight reduction program.